The Live Richly Spotlight, Episode 2: Robert D. Smith

SEE BELOW FOR A CHANCE AT A FREE SIGNED COPY OF ROBERT’S BOOK

Known simply as “The Robert D”, Robert D. Smith is a brand specialist, artist manager for Andy Andrews, and an author. His book 20,000 Days and Counting: The crash course for mastering your life right now, is a brilliant and energetic testimony to his enthusiasm and passion.

I was first introduced to Robert because for the last thirty-four years, he has managed Andy Andrews, notably my favorite author. From the second I heard Robert’s passion and love for life, I was intrigued and encouraged. Additionally, when I met Robert at Dave Ramsey’s SMART Conference , his authenticity in person is as real as it sounds.

My wife, Liz, and me with Robert at the SMART Conference

Robert, you say motivation is a myth, why is that?

“I run into too many people waiting for motivation. Williams James said, ‘We do not sing because we’re happy, we’re happy because we sing.’ Most of us have that backwards! We need to sing first; act happy and we’ll be happy.”

“I think you can get a lot more done if you’re not waiting on a feeling.”

“You need to wake up with excitement. The obituary section is not going away. Somebody didn’t wake up today and that wasn’t you. Be excited!”

Robert, tell us about The Traveler’s Gift, Andy Andrews New York Times Bestseller, and how it teaches us about being broken.

“This book was rejected fifty-one times over a period of three-and-a-half years. Finally, I met up with someone in the industry who told me to write a great book proposal. I did and just days later, it was published. It went on to the New York Times Bestseller list and has sold over 1 million copies.”

Robert, your book No Brand is an Island, has this philosophy that a brand cannot exist on its own. I believe the same about a rich life. Tell us about how someone has invested in you.

“When I was in college, at Samford University, my funds ran out. I thought my run was over. However, there was a man in the church who wanted me to finish school and so I was offered a 100% paid scholarship. I was able to graduate debt free. In turn, Andy and I have been able to invest in a variety of students in a number of ways over the years.”

Tell us about your belief in gratitude and celebration.

“Most people do NOT celebrate enough. Think about a the time when a child takes their first step. We celebrate! At what point did we, as adults, stop celebrating. I encourage people on every small step, every day. You cannot celebrate without gratitude. We take so much for granted, but food, water, shelter, and air are the needs God promise. And, those needs are met, so we need to jump up and down.”

“This is why we go to restaurants and eat dessert first. Why miss the best part because you’re too full. I’ve always eaten dessert first.”

Robert, what does it mean to you to humble yourself with confidence?

“The humility comes about because things are failing or you feel you’re failing. Andy’s first book, Storms of Perfection, didn’t go well at all. He was writing a book about rejection and he was getting rejected! How ironic is that? We ended up self-pulishing the book and sold over 600,000 copies. The good news is, we kept all the money.”

“When I was in grade school, I had a young friend who died on the playground. It hit me that day. From there on, I began to appreciate my day. Later, I read Og Mandingo’s book The Greatest Salesman in the World. His book has a scroll that says ‘I will live this day as if it is my last.’ I began zoning in on telling people I love them. I began living with passion and purpose.”

“My book 20,000 Days was birthed out of this idea.”

Find out how many days you’ve been alive

Robert, what does living richly mean to do to you?

“Living rich is about options. People overestimate the next five years and underestimate the next five minutes. Two questions I ask myself. What’s important now? What’s important next?”

Quote of the day: “Obituaries don’t stop. They continue everyday. The good news is, it wasn’t you.”

Robert has been so gracious to give away twelve copies of his book.

1. Comment below and let us know something you’ve been putting off that you can do in the next five minutes

or

Let us know how many days you’ve been alive

2. Share this link to social media or in an email. To tag Robert or myself – @TheRobertD @MattHamSr

I will pick 12 winners within by next Thursday and contact you via email.

MH

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